Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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36. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will ensure a substantial financial allocation under the 2026 road works programme is provided for the further planning and design of a route (details supplied) in view of its strategic importance for the Border region and the need to upgrade this road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52622/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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My department has been working with Cavan and Louth County Councils in relation to funding projects associated with the proposed upgraded East West Link Road. As the Deputy is aware the proposed scheme would run on regional routes from Dundalk to Cavan and national routes from Cavan to Sligo.

Going back some time there was a proposal for a substantial upgrade of the regional road part of the route; my department provided over €2 million to Cavan County Council, acting as lead authority with Monaghan and Louth County Councils, to progress the regional road element of the project to preliminary design stage.

However, more recent appraisal work has indicated a very substantial cost if the road scheme was fully implemented. As such, my department engaged Cavan County Council to carry out a risk-based analysis for the route between Dundalk and Cavan. This analysis explored the possibility of a series of interventions which could be implemented over time, and which could improve safety, journey times, and bring consistency to the travel speed along the route. From this risk analysis individual local authorities examined if, and how, projects identified could be brought forward, while taking into account their own priorities and available resources.

My department allocated funding to both Cavan and Louth County Councils to carry out initial assessments of two possible schemes along the R178 Cavan to Dundalk Strategic Regional Route. Subsequently, both Louth and Cavan County Councils submitted Strategic Assessment Reports for these two schemes. These submissions have been reviewed and approval has been provided to advance both schemes.

The department has provided further funding in 2025 to both Cavan County Council and Louth County Council to advance these schemes through to the end of Phase 2 “Route Selection”. This process is underway by the local authorities and following completion, a further review of both schemes will be examined by my department before approval to the next phase.

The 2026 regional and local road grant allocations will be finalised following the publication of the Revised Estimates Volume and will take into account the expenditure outturn on projects and programmes in the preceding year. Within the budget available, the objective is to allocate funding to eligible local authorities on as equitable a basis as possible taking the length of the road network into account. The main focus of the grants continues to be the protection and renewal of the regional and local road network.As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Infrastructure Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals.

In 2025, the N53 Hackballscross to Rassan project received an allocation of €2 million. In addition, €35,000 was allocated for pavement works on the N53 at Rathmore.

Noting the above position, I have referred the question to TII for a direct reply regarding ongoing works on the N53 between Dundalk and Carrickmacross. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.